Yakult headquarter, Yakult Honsha, is established in Tokyo. In Japan, Yakult is one of the biggest food companies with a range of products including cosmetics and medicines.
In 1955, Dr. Shirota founded the Microbiology Central Institute in Kyoto. In 1967, it was named Central Institute for Microbiological Research (YCIMR) and moved to Tokyo. At the moment, it employs about 250 people. Dr. Shirota has worked in this institute for all his life.